Tony Meola

• Captained and started in goal for the 1994 U.S. National Men’s Soccer Team
• Became one of the few professionals to play in three World Cups
• Named Goalkeeper of the Year, MLS Cup MVP and MLS Champion with the Kansas City Wizards (2000)
• Herman Trophy and MAC Award winner at UVA (1988 and 1989)
• Inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012

Tony Meola was one of the best professional soccer goalies of all time. He had a 13 year career in the MLS and was a member of the U.S. National Team for a total of eight years. In 1988, Tony joined the national team roster, making his first professional appearance that summer against Ecuador. In 1990, Tony started in net for the U.S. in the qualifying rounds of the 1990 FIFA World Cup, recording a win against Trinidad and Tobago that clinched the team a spot in the qualifying finals. Tony went on to play every minute of the 1990 World Cup. Four years later, Tony was the official starting goalie and captain for the U.S. in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Tony remained on the National Team roster until 2006 and was simultaneously playing in the MLS.

Tony began Major League play in 1995 when he won a championship with the Long Island Rough Riders of the USISL. Tony’s first season in the MLS was in 1996 when he played for the NY/NJ MetroStars during which time he set a league record with nine shutouts. In 1999, Tony joined the Kansas City Wizards where he remained for five seasons. In Kansas in 2000, Tony was named League MVP, Goalkeeper of the Year and MLS Cup MVP while the Wizards continued to the MLS championship. That year, Tony recorded 16 shutouts and was soon after named to the MLS All-Time Best XI.

Before going pro, Tony played soccer and baseball at the University of Virginia for two years. While lettering in baseball Tony simultaneously received All-American honors two seasons in a row with the Cavaliers. Tony also won the Hermann Trophy as a freshman in 1988 and the MAC Award as a sophomore in 1989.

Since retiring from competition, Tony has stayed very involved in the soccer world. In addition to running his own company, GK1 Sports, Tony coaches two youth teams. The New Jersey native also works with U.S. Soccer sponsors like Allstate, for whom he conducts clinics and appearances as part of its Good Hands FC program. In 2012, Tony’s impressive career was honored when he was inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame.